Instrument Landing System

William S. Greenwell Department of Computer Science University of Virginia

Poor Visibility Landings

ILS Components
Localizer

indicates alignment w/ runway indicates correct descent path

Glideslope Outer

Marker Final Approach Fix Marker Missed Approach Point

Middle

Localizer

Needle indicates direction of runway. Centered Needle = Correct Alignment

Glideslope

Needle indicates above/below glidepath. Centered Needle = Correct Glidepath

Correct Glidepath

Descent Cone Runway

Outer/Middle Marker Beacons

OM

Denotes beginning of final approach segment (Final Approach Fix). Denotes Missed Approach Point (MAP)

MM

Usually placed at decision height on glidepath. If you cant see the runway yet, go around.
Represented

by indicator lights with accompanying aural tone in cockpit.

Approach Plates

Non-Precision Approaches
When

glideslope is unavailable, pilots may still make a localizer-only approach.

In

lieu of glideslope, pilot uses step-down fixes printed in approach plate to descend.

VOR / DME
VOR:

bearing of aircraft to radio station DME: distance from aircraft to radio station VOR and DME are usually collocated, providing pilot with bearing and distance.